What mastering does here
Mastering at Nohexevo is final polish for streaming, download and optional vinyl — in a controlled listening room. Digital mastering is €98 per track; an EP up to six tracks is €279. Prices include 20% VAT. Process details: Mastering and Services.
Mastering is not “mixing again” but balance, transients and loudness for the last stage. We work from an unlimited stereo mix; if stems are needed we agree upfront — often a clean Mixing is enough.
LUFS, LKFS and why numbers are not enough
Integrated loudness (LUFS/LKFS) measures average perceived level across the song. Streaming services compare uploads to targets and turn down or gently lift — so an over-compressed track can feel smaller, not bigger.
Short-term and momentary values matter for sections, as do true peak (inter-sample peaks) and spectrum: a loud but thin record loses on phone speakers just as on studio monitors. We check on several playback paths, not one meter alone.
Typical streaming targets
| Context | Guide |
|---|---|
| Pop / rock streaming | Integrated often around −14 to −11 LUFS, depending on mix dynamics |
| Ballad / acoustic | more headroom, −16 LUFS or quieter is fine |
| True peak | ≤ −1 dBTP for clean codecs (conservative −1.5) |
These are guides, not fixed platform mandates. Name a reference and we match character and level as closely as makes sense — without cloning your reference. Put details in Contact or the master brief.
Mix headroom before master
Deliver mixes with peaks between −6 and −3 dBFS and no final limiter on the bus. Heavy bus compression is fine when musical — brickwall before mastering removes our room. If unsure, export an extra “vocal up” or “drums up” version only by agreement.
Stem exporters: see Delivering stems for mix. After Vocal recording, a quick mix sanity check saves weeks of mastering tweaks.
Download, CD and vinyl
Downloads without normalization may tolerate slightly higher loudness — we still check transients and midrange. Vinyl needs different bass and stereo handling and longer lead time — say so when quoting. 2 revision rounds are included in the agreed master package unless noted otherwise.
Labels often assign ISRCs; we can prepare 16-bit, 44.1 kHz exports when contracted. Rights stay with you — see Terms and Disclaimer.
Workflow, delivery and archive
Send WAV, references and target platform. We master, deliver MP3/WAV as agreed and note the loudness target used. We reply within 2 working days; turnaround depends on queue — do not book mastering on release morning.
Projects are kept 12 months per Privacy policy, then deleted. Booking deposit 30%; free cancellation up to 7 days before the slot under our rules.
Live band — different dynamics
Live drums and amps carry natural dynamics. With Band recording in our 38 m² live room we plan levels at tracking; mastering balances rather than squashes. Setup tips: Band setup in the live room.
Podcast or speech has different goals — start with Podcast production, not the music master workflow.
Summary
- Streaming normalizes — loudness without tone loses.
- Mix without final limiter; watch true peak.
- Name references and platform.
- Digital master from €98; EP €279.
- Pre-release questions: Contact or 01 405 82 16.
All guides: Guides. Studio hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–22:00; closed Monday and Sunday. Evening sessions by appointment..
